Boy killed while driving motorcycle without a helmet in Athens area

A 15-year-old boy driving a motorcycle without a helmet was killed Thursday afternoon in a traffic collision near Gardena, authorities said.

The motorcycle exited a private driveway into the pathway of a 1996 Toyota heading westbound on El Segundo Boulevard west of Vermont Avenue. The Toyota crashed into the motorcycle at 1:14 p.m. and also collided with a 2007 Nissan, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

The boy, whose name was not released, was thrown from the motorcycle and later declared dead at the scene, according to the news release.

El Segundo Boulevard was closed for a time in both directions between Vermont and Berendo avenues.

The crash occurred in the Athens area of unincorporated Los Angeles County where it borders Gardena.